Clark: Men Against Boys

Lee Clark conceded that Blackpool were completely up against it at Derby County this evening, as the team fell to a 4-0 defeat.

The manager was left to rue the gap between the two sides, on a night where The Rams punished a number of errors.

"It was men against boys. When you concede a goal like we did after three minutes, against a team like this, then you're up against it. We never got to grips with them all evening.

"The margin was big between the two teams. I look at my bench and without being disrespectful there were five players that started the season in the under-18s. They're the future of this club, but when you come to places like this and come up against the movement and pace that they have it tells."

Clark continues to weigh up his squad options for next season, however one player guaranteed to be at Bloomfield Road now is Andrea Orlandi following the activation of an option clause.

"When we get him fully fit he'll be a massive asset in League One. He's been a good player for us this season and he can be a fantastic player for us next season.

"He's not been 100 per cent fit because of a lack of a pre-season and games before I got here, but he's someone who makes and scores goals. Him and Cubero will be crucial players in terms of experience for what I'm trying to do next season, he added.